Carlos Sainz Hit with Penalty Hours Before Belgian GP Start

Just hours before the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, Williams driver Carlos Sainz was handed a ten-place grid penalty for the race at Spa.

The penalty stems from the Williams mechanics having to urgently install new power unit components in the Spaniard's car. One of these components, the control electronics, exceeded the permitted seasonal allocation, triggering an automatic sanction for Sainz. The component change was carried out after receiving written permission from the FIA, meaning Sainz will not have to start from the pit lane but can take his place on the grid.

Sainz was originally set to start 14th, but following the penalty, he will now line up 19th. Only Lance Stroll, Isaak Hadjar, and Fernando Alonso, who also received penalties, will start behind him. As a result of the Spaniard's sanction, Oliver Bearman, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio Perez each move up one position on the grid.